Angel City falls to North Carolina Courage 2-1 in stoppage time at home

LOS ANGELES -- Angel City conceded the winning goal against the North Carolina Courage in stoppage time, after failing to score again following an early goal from Riley Tiernan. The Courage scored first and last during their first win in Los Angeles. 

More than 14,000 people were in attendance on Saturday night, but hundreds of thousands were in the streets protesting as part of No Kings Day earlier in the day. ACFC's players wore "Immigrant City Football Club" t-shirts ahead of the match as a nod to current immigration protests in the city, while the club's technical staff and head coach sported them during the night.  

“We made a point to wear our shirts for the walkout, and we really wanted to stand with the community, and of course, everyone is affected emotionally, and like I said before, it’s another weight to hold,” Angel City defender Sarah Gorden said after the 2-1 loss. “But I wish we could have given a little bit of love and joy to everyone tonight with a different result.”

Angel City also distributed cards with a new statement following their initial statement released on June 7. The cards read in part, “The fabric of this city is made of immigrants. Football does not exist without immigrants. This club does not exist without immigrants.” Recording artist and founding investor Becky G read that message from the field before player walkouts.

Before the crowd at BMO could even process the first whistle blowing, North Carolina lit up the scoreboard. Less than one minute after kick-off, the Courage pushed the ball down the left flank, where Gorden missed an interception. Shinomi Koyama took her chance, feeding the ball to Manaka Matsukubo, whose cross connected with Cortnee Vine at the six-yard box for Vine's first goal of the year.

Not to be outdone, Angel City responded in the 10th minute with a goal from the rookie currently setting the league on fire. The play started with a perfect delivery from defender Gisele Thompson, who opened up space down the right side and sent a high ball to Tiernan for her fourth assist of the season. The two-time NWSL rookie of the month connected with a header that sent the ball into the far right post and put Los Angeles on an even playing field. 

Tiernan is now tied for second in most rookie goals scored with seven and has become an important part of Angel City's offensive strategy. 

Despite the action-packed early start, both teams spent the next 80 minutes vying for a game-winning shot but falling short of a successful finish.

North Carolina had a chance as the 60-minute mark approached as Vine and Matsukubo worked through the ACFC defense, but goalkeeper Angelina Anderson was there to block their attempt. 

A couple of minutes later, it was Angel City's turn. After a back-heel touch by Tiernan along the left sideline created space for Alyssa Thompson to run down three-quarters of the pitch into the box, the dominant striker took her shot but was met with a deflection.  

Anderson kept it level in the 82nd minute, denying a shot off the foot of Ashley Sanchez before getting help from M.A. Vignola, who saved the day from a rebounded effort by the visitors.

North Carolina eventually sealed the win in the 95th minute after a blocked shot by Lussi landed at the feet of midfielder Brianna Pinto, who made an initial attempt that was also blocked, then put away her follow-up attempt to bring the score to 2–1.

Angel City (4-3-5)now sits tenth on the league's table. In Alexander Straus's short time as head coach, the club has earned one point following last week's draw against the Chicago Red Stars. 

Los Angeles is on the road next week, facing the Kansas City Current on Friday, June 20 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific.